See the stunning new Ritz-Carlton yacht — it’s an anti–cruise ship

Ritz-Carlton is ready to test the seaworthiness of its luxury hotel experience.

The high-end Marriott International Inc.
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brand announced in June that it’s planning the launch of a luxury cruise service with three yachts in the fourth quarter of 2019. The ships are small-capacity vessels that accommodate 298 passengers, with 149 suites, each with a private balcony, plus two penthouses. There will also be a restaurant, bar, pool, spa and marina to launch water toys.

The first Ritz-Carlton yachts are slated to set sail in 2019, with reservations opening in May 2018.

It’s part of a trend for luxury brands getting into the top end of the cruise business. Bugatti announced in March that it would create its own yacht, available in March 2018.

See more photos of the yacht ...

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Because of the intimate scale of the yachts, ships will be able to call at such locations as Capri and Portofino, in Italy, which are inaccessible to large cruise ships.

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The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first ship will cruise to places including the Mediterranean, northern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, depending on season.

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The Ritz yachts are also slated to be available for private charter.

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The yachts are designed by Ritz-Carlton and the Swedish cruise-ship design company Tillberg Design. Tillberg has worked on many Norwegian Cruise Line
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vessels and the Queen Mary 2.

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Sven Elverfeld, head chef for nine years at the Ritz-Carlton’s Aqua restaurant, which in 2009 was awarded its third Michelin star, is head chef for the Ritz’s yacht-cruise enterprise.

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Voyages range from seven to 10 days and include overnight and daytime ports of call.

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